November Featured Throw of the Month

Welcome to the November Featured Throw of the Month! This month we have the Nine Patch Variation Throw made in With Love. Each month we have a new themed throw as a featured free pattern. Each throw will have a tip or two in the blog, as well as a giveaway to win the yarn to make the throw. Keep reading for the tip and to access the giveaway! Use the hashtag #throwmonth to talk about the series.

Tip

The throw this month is made in With Love, but the sample is done in Soft.

Today we’ll show you how to make a shell. We’ll be using the directions within this pattern, but shells can vary some so you should always check the specific pattern you are using. For example, this shell is made with double crochet (dc) stitches, but another pattern might have you use treble crochet (tr) stitches instead. For Red Heart patterns, including this one, check the Special Stitch section right above where the pattern instruction starts to see the definition of shell for that particular pattern.

This swatch has a few rows of single crochet to work into. On the throw, you’ll be working the shell in Rounds 6 and 7 of the border.

To start, you’ll need to identify the next stitch you work into. Because a shell spreads out, you won’t be working into the next stitch. For this particular shell, you’ll start by skipping 3 stitches. In this photo, the tip of the hook points to the next stitch you’ll work into.

Next, make a shell by working 6 double crochet stitches into that single crochet stitch just identified. When you start, the stitches might look odd because they pull towards the previous stitch you did. This appearing of pulling is normal!

After you’ve completed the 6 double crochets into the same single crochet, you can clearly see the shell.

Now, you’ll look at the directions and see that you skip 2 single crochets and then work a single crochet. Doing this will anchor the other side of the shell in place so the shell keeps its shape.

I would love to enter to win the materials for this project but the form doesn’t seem to be accepting input. I’ve tried it a few days ago and again just now – no joy. Is there another link (place/way) to enter? Thanks! Anybody else having issues or is it just me?